US6674926B1 - Controller for a multiple array color sensor - Google Patents
Controller for a multiple array color sensor Download PDFInfo
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- US6674926B1 US6674926B1 US09/289,351 US28935199A US6674926B1 US 6674926 B1 US6674926 B1 US 6674926B1 US 28935199 A US28935199 A US 28935199A US 6674926 B1 US6674926 B1 US 6674926B1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/46—Colour picture communication systems
- H04N1/48—Picture signal generators
- H04N1/486—Picture signal generators with separate detectors, each detector being used for one specific colour component
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a color image reading device, an output controller for an image capture system, and a method of controlling an output from a color image reading device. More specifically, the invention relates to the optimization of the positioning of multiple-array linear charge-coupled devices (CCD) to provide improved signal to noise ratio for the scanning of two-dimensional objects, as in document scanners.
- CCD multiple-array linear charge-coupled devices
- a color image reading device such as a linear color charge-coupled device (CCD) may be comprised of an array of linear sensors.
- Each of the linear sensors are optimized to receive a different portion of a spectral emission from an object imaged on the device.
- each of the linear sensors may include a different color filter and each sensor is separated from an adjacent sensor by a distance of N lines. This results in each array capturing a different line of the document during one raster scan.
- one of the linear sensors of the array of sensors may be less sensitive to spectral emission.
- the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) for the blue channel or filter in CCD devices may be lower than desired due to the lower sensitivity of the CCD to blue light, and/or lower object illumination levels in the blue portion of the spectrum.
- S/N signal-to-noise ratio
- a single raster from the CCD will contain information from three separate lines. To properly register and display an image, the data of the image must be re-phased to place data from a single line of the image into the same raster of image data.
- a first feature of the present invention relates to the reversal of the orientation of the color image reading device relative to an object to be imaged upon it, in order to optimize illumination in blue wavelengths. Because the individual line sensors of the color image reading device are physically offset from one another, that offset results in each sensor capturing a different segment of the object during each raster. When it is desirable to reverse the orientation of the color image reading device relative to the object to be scanned in order to optimize illumination and signal-to-noise ratio, pixel data for each line is then generated in reverse order. In a further feature of the present invention, the altered data from the offset linear sensors are phased based on the reversed orientation noted above.
- the present invention provides for a method and means by which to compensate order and phasing of the output from a color image reading device, such as a color image scanning system, that arises from the relative orientation of multiple linear sensor arrays, which involves orienting the color image reading device relative to an object to be scanned by means of a line controller.
- a color image reading device such as a color image scanning system
- the present invention relates to a color image reading device which comprises an array of linear sensors, with each of the linear sensors receiving a different portion of a spectral emission from an object to be imaged.
- a color image reading device which comprises an array of linear sensors, with each of the linear sensors receiving a different portion of a spectral emission from an object to be imaged.
- One of the linear sensors of the array of linear sensors being least sensitive to spectral emission and being positioned closest to an illumination source for the object.
- the present invention further relates to a color image reading device which comprises an array of linear sensors, with each of the linear sensors receiving a different portion of a spectral emission from an object to be imaged.
- a color image reading device which comprises an array of linear sensors, with each of the linear sensors receiving a different portion of a spectral emission from an object to be imaged.
- One of the linear sensors of the array of linear sensors receiving a portion of a spectral emission that is weakest and being positioned closest to an illumination source for the object.
- the present invention further relates to an output controller for an image capture system which comprises a color image reading device having an array of linear sensors that receive a different portion of a spectral emission from an object to be. An orientation of the linear sensors resulting in a reversal of pixel data within a raster.
- the controller of the present invention further comprises a line controller that receives the pixel data from the color image reading device and reverses the pixel data.
- the present invention further relates to an output controller for an image capture system which comprises a color image reading device having an array of linear sensors which receive a different portion of a spectral emission from an object to be imaged and provides an image signal indicative thereof.
- the image signal comprises a raster of pixel data from different points on the object.
- the controller further comprises a line controller which receives the image signal from the color image reading device and re-phases color pixel values of the raster of pixel data to refer to the same point on the object.
- the present invention further relates to a method of controlling an output from a color image reading device which comprises the steps of passing an object to be read relative to a color image reading device having an array of linear sensors, so as to provide for a raster of pixel data representative of different points on the object; and providing the raster of pixel data to a line controller which reverses the raster of pixel data.
- the present invention further relates to a method of controlling an output from a color image reading device which comprises the steps of passing an object to be read relative to a color image reading device having an array of linear sensors, so as to provide for a raster of pixel data representative of different points on the object; and providing the raster of pixel data to a line controller which re-phases color pixel values of the raster of pixel data to refer to the same point on the object.
- FIGS. 1 a - 1 c illustrate the scanning of an object via a color image reading device such as a CCD;
- FIG. 2 illustrates an image capture system including a line controller, an image reading device such as a CCD, and a memory device such as a SRAM;
- FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic illustration of the elements of the line controller
- FIG. 4 illustrates a state machine illustration of the selection process with respect to the line controller of FIG. 3;
- FIG. 5 illustrates a raster stream transformation with respect to the line controller of the present invention.
- FIGS. 1 a - 1 c illustrate a scanning and orientation of an object 7 to be scanned or read with respect to a color image reading device 9 in accordance with the present invention.
- object 7 is a sheet of paper
- color image reading device 9 is a CCD (charge-coupled device).
- CCD 9 of the present invention includes, in sequential order, a blue sensor 9 a , a green sensor 9 b and a red sensor 9 c .
- FIGS. 1 a - 1 c illustrate a scanning and orientation of an object 7 to be scanned or read with respect to a color image reading device 9 in accordance with the present invention.
- object 7 is a sheet of paper
- color image reading device 9 is a CCD (charge-coupled device).
- CCD 9 of the present invention includes, in sequential order, a blue sensor 9 a , a green sensor 9 b and a red sensor 9 c .
- FIGS. 1 a - 1 c illustrate a scanning and orientation of an object
- time is illustrated on the X-axis of the page and is measured relative to the start of a valid page reading.
- the orientation of the sensors are set so that blue sensor 9 a of CCD 9 is closest to an illumination source 50 , such as a lamp, and sees object 7 first and, therefore, in FIG. 1 a blue sensor 9 a is at line 0 , green sensor 9 b is off the page, and red sensor 9 c is off the page.
- FIG. 1 b represents N lines after a valid page reading. As shown in FIG. 1 b , blue sensor 9 a is at line N, green sensor 9 b is at line 0 and red sensor 9 c is off the page.
- FIG. 1 c represents 2 N lines after a valid page. As illustrated in FIG. 1 c , blue sensor 9 a is at line 2 N, green sensor 9 b is at line N and red sensor 9 c is at line 0 . Therefore, red sensor 9 c sees the document last.
- FIG. 2 illustrates an image capture system which includes a line controller 11 and a memory (SRAM) (static random access memory) 14 associated with CCD 9 .
- line controller 11 accepts a raster of pixel data (RGB) (red, green, blue) that was composed of three different points on object 7 from CCD 9 , and produces a raster of pixel data (RGB) with the color values re-phased and/or reversed to refer to the same point on a document.
- RGB raster of pixel data
- RGB red, green, blue
- line controller 11 receives 3 color data values from CCD 9 , a valid line signal to confirm valid data from CCD 9 , a pixel clock to signal a valid pixel, and data from SRAM 14 which temporarily stores data.
- SRAM 14 is organized as rows of raster data. Each row contains a raster of color pixels (RGB). The number of rows required, N+2, is determined by the number of rasters N between the furthest two color sensors on CCD 9 .
- the furthest two color sensors are 16 rasters apart. Therefore, 17 rows are required to store the rasters plus an extra row for the incoming raster.
- the address of SRAM 14 is partitioned as follows:
- Row Address represents a raster stored
- Pixel Number represents a specific RGB pixel value in the raster.
- FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the specifics of line controller 11 .
- counters 17 , 19 , 21 as shown in FIG. 3 are used to generate the row address and pixel number.
- Counter 17 is an up-pixel counter
- counter 19 is a down pixel counter
- counter 21 is a row counter.
- Row counter 21 includes a store row counter 21 a , a red loadable counter 21 b , a green loadable counter 21 c and a blue loadable counter 21 d .
- row counter 21 is incremented, pixel counter 17 is reset to 0 and pixel counter 19 is set to the maximum number of pixels per raster.
- Line controller 11 stores incoming pixel data in the current row specified by row counter 21 .
- Pixel counter 17 increments for each RGB pixel value.
- Line controller 11 thereafter performs re-phasing on a previous row so three counters are required to specify the source of the data value for the re-phased color channel.
- Counter 21 is loadable to allow the controller to handle any CCD re-phasing offset. Since line controller 11 performs re-phasing on a current pixel number before the next pixel value, line controller 11 must be clocked at a higher rate than a CCD pixel clock which runs the image reading device.
- a pixel counter Mux 23 receives a select signal with respect to counter 17 or counter 19 to provide for a pixel address to SRAM 14 .
- the specifics of the selection signal is illustrated as a state machine in FIG. 4 . As shown in FIG. 4, during selection, after idle 100 and CCD pixel ready status 101 , a CCD pixel is stored in row N ( 103 ) and up pixel counter 17 is selected.
- a reading of a red pixel from row N- 1 selects down pixel counter 19
- a reading of a green pixel from row N- 1 -phase offset selects down pixel counter 19
- a reading of a blue pixel from row N- 1 - 2 *(phase-phase offset) selects down pixel counter 19 .
- the system repeats for the next CCD pixel.
- a Row Select Mux 25 receives a select signal with respect to row counters ( 21 a , 21 b , 21 c and 21 d ) to provide for a row address to SRAM 14 .
- the specifics of the selection signal is illustrated as a state machine in FIG. 4 . As shown in FIG. 4, during selection, after idle 100 and CCD pixel ready status 101 , a CCD pixel is stored in row N ( 103 ) and store row counter 21 a is selected.
- a reading of a red pixel from row N- 1 selects red loadable counter 21 b
- a reading of a green pixel from row N- 1 -phase offset selects green loadable counter 21 c
- a reaidng of a blue pixel from row N- 1 - 2 *(phase-phase offset) selects down blue loadable counter 21 d .
- the system repeats for the next CCD pixel.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a raster stream transformation.
- incoming data from CCD 9 is reversed and/or re-phased by line controller 11 .
- data from CCD 9 can enter line controller 11 (Row) (Pixel) as R 0,0 G 8,0 B 16,0 and exit line controller 11 as R 0,0 G 0,0 B 0,0 .
- Red sensor 9 a of the CCD 9 sees the object 7 last, so that reversing and/or re-phasing is referenced to red sensor 9 a .
- Red (loadable) counter 21 b stores the row number for the previously captured rasters.
- Green (loadable) counter 21 c stores the number of rasters between the green and red sensors.
- Blue (loadable) counter 21 d likewise stores the number of rasters between the blue and red sensors.
- another pixel counter 19 (FIG. 3) is used. Counter 19 starts at the maximum number of pixels per raster and counts down.
- counter 17 which is an up-pixel counter is used.
- counter 19 which is a down-pixel counter is used.
- Row counter 21 rolls over when it reaches the maximum number of rows specified.
- compensation for the reversal is accomplished utilizing the same hardware that is used for line rephasing.
- the present invention provides for an arrangement that optimizes a positioning of multiple-array linear color CCD devices so as to improve the signal-to-noise ratio for the scanning of two-dimensional objects as in document scanners.
Abstract
Description
Claims (9)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/289,351 US6674926B1 (en) | 1999-04-09 | 1999-04-09 | Controller for a multiple array color sensor |
GB0003650A GB2349028B (en) | 1999-04-09 | 2000-02-18 | Controller for a multiple array color sensor |
JP2000106048A JP2000332956A (en) | 1999-04-09 | 2000-04-07 | Color image reader and output controller |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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US09/289,351 US6674926B1 (en) | 1999-04-09 | 1999-04-09 | Controller for a multiple array color sensor |
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US6674926B1 true US6674926B1 (en) | 2004-01-06 |
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US09/289,351 Expired - Lifetime US6674926B1 (en) | 1999-04-09 | 1999-04-09 | Controller for a multiple array color sensor |
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US (1) | US6674926B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2000332956A (en) |
GB (1) | GB2349028B (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN107919102A (en) * | 2017-11-22 | 2018-04-17 | 广东欧珀移动通信有限公司 | The control method of electronic device and electronic device |
Citations (12)
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US4107732A (en) | 1976-06-28 | 1978-08-15 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Two sensor time encoded color imaging system |
US4656503A (en) | 1985-08-27 | 1987-04-07 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Color CCD imager with minimal clock lines |
US4672433A (en) * | 1984-12-27 | 1987-06-09 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Color signal processing apparatus with a signal interpolation function for use in a color copier |
US4725880A (en) | 1985-06-28 | 1988-02-16 | Rca Corporation | Color solid-state imaging apparatus wherein one imager receives an image of a first color and another imager receives an offset image of the first color and a second color |
US4857996A (en) | 1985-11-06 | 1989-08-15 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image pickup device with reduced fixed pattern noise |
EP0332103A2 (en) * | 1988-03-07 | 1989-09-13 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Multi-colour document reading apparatus for facsimile and multi-colour facsimile |
US5043819A (en) | 1989-12-05 | 1991-08-27 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | CCD solid state image sensor with two horizontal transfer CCDs corresponding to both odd and even columns of elements |
US5168350A (en) | 1989-10-24 | 1992-12-01 | Victor Company Of Japan, Ltd. | Solid-state color imaging apparatus |
US5438364A (en) | 1987-10-09 | 1995-08-01 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Solid state color imager with on-chip color balance |
US5648667A (en) | 1994-06-14 | 1997-07-15 | Nec Corporation | Image pickup device with and image pickup method by use of two-dimensionally arranged sensors having sensitivities different in certain direction of arrangement |
US5675425A (en) | 1994-05-25 | 1997-10-07 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Color image reading device having an optical element for creating double images |
US5917621A (en) * | 1994-12-06 | 1999-06-29 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image pickup device |
Family Cites Families (2)
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US4731661A (en) * | 1984-11-16 | 1988-03-15 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Color document reader with white balance adjuster for determining light emission periods for a plurality of different-colored light sources and corresponding integration times for a light sensor by reading a white reference area |
US5483053A (en) * | 1994-09-27 | 1996-01-09 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Variable resolution color image scanner having an exposure delay between successive linear photosensors detecting different colors |
-
1999
- 1999-04-09 US US09/289,351 patent/US6674926B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2000
- 2000-02-18 GB GB0003650A patent/GB2349028B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-04-07 JP JP2000106048A patent/JP2000332956A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US4107732A (en) | 1976-06-28 | 1978-08-15 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Two sensor time encoded color imaging system |
US4672433A (en) * | 1984-12-27 | 1987-06-09 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Color signal processing apparatus with a signal interpolation function for use in a color copier |
US4725880A (en) | 1985-06-28 | 1988-02-16 | Rca Corporation | Color solid-state imaging apparatus wherein one imager receives an image of a first color and another imager receives an offset image of the first color and a second color |
US4656503A (en) | 1985-08-27 | 1987-04-07 | Texas Instruments Incorporated | Color CCD imager with minimal clock lines |
US4857996A (en) | 1985-11-06 | 1989-08-15 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image pickup device with reduced fixed pattern noise |
US5438364A (en) | 1987-10-09 | 1995-08-01 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Solid state color imager with on-chip color balance |
EP0332103A2 (en) * | 1988-03-07 | 1989-09-13 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Multi-colour document reading apparatus for facsimile and multi-colour facsimile |
US5168350A (en) | 1989-10-24 | 1992-12-01 | Victor Company Of Japan, Ltd. | Solid-state color imaging apparatus |
US5043819A (en) | 1989-12-05 | 1991-08-27 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | CCD solid state image sensor with two horizontal transfer CCDs corresponding to both odd and even columns of elements |
US5675425A (en) | 1994-05-25 | 1997-10-07 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Color image reading device having an optical element for creating double images |
US5648667A (en) | 1994-06-14 | 1997-07-15 | Nec Corporation | Image pickup device with and image pickup method by use of two-dimensionally arranged sensors having sensitivities different in certain direction of arrangement |
US5917621A (en) * | 1994-12-06 | 1999-06-29 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image pickup device |
US20020048055A1 (en) * | 1994-12-06 | 2002-04-25 | Akihiko Yushiya | Image reading apparatus for grouping sensors according to characteristics |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN107919102A (en) * | 2017-11-22 | 2018-04-17 | 广东欧珀移动通信有限公司 | The control method of electronic device and electronic device |
CN107919102B (en) * | 2017-11-22 | 2019-08-06 | Oppo广东移动通信有限公司 | The control method of electronic device and electronic device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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GB2349028A (en) | 2000-10-18 |
GB2349028B (en) | 2003-05-21 |
JP2000332956A (en) | 2000-11-30 |
GB0003650D0 (en) | 2000-04-05 |
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